Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a robust perennial herb related to celery, offering a pungent, distinctive flavor unlike any other garden staple. Its taste profile is often described as a more intense, sharp version of celery, frequently featuring subtle undertones of parsley and a hint of anise. Cherished since medieval times, it was widely cultivated across Europe for both culinary and traditional purposes. Home gardeners seeking a unique and hardy addition will find lovage an appealing choice, as its leaves, stems, seeds, and roots are all edible and useful.
Establishing Lovage in the Garden
Successful cultivation begins with thoughtful site selection, as lovage requires a specific environment to thrive and reach its impressive mature size. The plant performs best in a location that receives full sun in cooler climates or partial shade where summer temperatures are high. Providing afternoon shade helps prevent the foliage from scorching and keeps the leaves tender, prolonging the harvest season.
The soil must be rich, well-draining, and consistently moist, with a preference for a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Before planting, amend the soil generously with organic matter, such as well-rotted compost or manure, to boost fertility and moisture retention. This initial soil preparation is important because lovage is a long-lived perennial.
Lovage can be started from seed, purchased as a starter plant, or propagated by dividing a mature clump. Seeds benefit from a period of cold stratification, which involves placing them in a damp medium in the refrigerator for two weeks before planting to improve germination rates. When setting out transplants, gardeners must account for the plant’s massive potential; lovage can easily reach heights of six to seven feet and spread three feet wide. Therefore, individual plants should be spaced at least 24 to 36 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
Routine Care and Maintenance
Once established, lovage is a low-maintenance herb, but it does require consistent moisture to prevent wilting and maintain tender foliage. Lovage is not drought-tolerant, so it is important to provide approximately one inch of water per week, especially during dry spells or periods of high heat. Applying a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant helps to conserve soil moisture and suppress competing weeds.
The plant generally requires minimal supplemental feeding if the soil was properly amended at planting. A light side dressing of rich compost applied around the root zone in early spring is typically sufficient to support its vigorous growth throughout the season. Avoid excessive fertilization, particularly with high-nitrogen feeds, as this can encourage rapid, soft growth that may compromise the intense flavor profile of the leaves.
Regular pruning is important for maintaining plant health and maximizing the leaf harvest. Cutting back the outer foliage frequently encourages the plant to produce a continuous flush of young, tender leaves, which possess the best flavor. If allowed to flower, the plant will divert energy into seed production, causing the leaves to become bitter and tough. Removing the tall, yellow flower stalks, known as deadheading, immediately upon their emergence will prevent this bitterness and help control aggressive self-seeding.
Harvesting and Preservation
The most flavorful leaves are the young, tender growth harvested before the plant begins to send up its flower stalk in mid-summer. When harvesting, use clean shears to snip the leaf stems close to the base of the plant, but only take about one-third of the total foliage at any one time to ensure healthy regrowth. Regular, light harvesting stimulates the production of new leaves and helps keep the plant from becoming woody.
The hollow, crisp stems can be used in the kitchen much like celery stalks or even as edible straws for beverages. If you desire seeds, allow a few of the flower heads to mature in late summer or early fall until they turn brown and dry. The seeds, which taste similar to celery seed, can be collected by cutting the dried heads and placing them in a paper bag to shake loose.
Fresh lovage leaves do not dry well, as the process tends to diminish their flavor. A more effective preservation method is freezing the leaves, either whole in freezer bags or chopped and mixed with a little water or olive oil in ice cube trays. Dried seeds, once fully cured, should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark location for use in cooking or for planting the following season.
Addressing Common Growing Issues
Lovage is generally a robust plant, but a few issues may arise, with poor drainage being the most significant potential problem. Since the plant requires consistently moist soil, waterlogged conditions can quickly lead to root rot, which is a common cause of plant death. Ensuring the planting site is truly well-draining and avoiding overwatering are the best preventative measures against this fungal issue.
Pests are typically minor, but the leaves may occasionally attract leaf miners, which create serpentine tunnels just beneath the leaf surface. Removing and disposing of any affected leaves immediately will help control their spread. Young lovage seedlings can also be susceptible to slugs and snails, which can be managed by hand-picking or by using organic slug baits around the base of the plant.
For gardeners with limited space, the plant’s tendency to grow up to seven feet tall and wide presents a physical challenge. Growing lovage in a large container, such as one with a minimum capacity of 40 liters, can help restrict its size while still providing enough room for a healthy root system. Lovage will die back to the ground in the late autumn, and the stems should be cut back to ground level after the foliage has withered. Applying a layer of mulch provides the plant with sufficient protection to reliably return with a new flush of growth the following spring.